Interview with Rustem Esenov, head of Dynamo Football School in Ashgabat

— How did your career in football begin?

— My career in football began as a child — like many, with yard games and a sincere love for the ball. Over time, this turned into a conscious choice of profession: training, coaching license, working with children. At some point I realized that I wanted not just to coach, but to create an environment where children could grow not only as football players, but also as individuals.

— Tell us about your school.

— Our football school is a project focused on the development of children through football. We work with young football players of different ages, focusing on technique, thinking, discipline and love of the game. It is important for us that the child feels safe, motivated and understands why he goes on the field.

— What are the features of children's football in Turkmenistan?

— There are a lot of talented and physically gifted children in Turkmenistan. At the same time, children's football often lacks consistency and modern techniques. We are trying to fill this gap — we are building the training process so that it meets international standards and prepares children for the next level.

— Why did you decide to start a partnership with Dynamo?

— Dynamo is a club with a history, philosophy and a strong training school. Dynamo's approach to player education is close to us: discipline, intelligence, team culture. We see this partnership as an opportunity to give our children a real reference point and a path of development, and not just a dream.

— How does the preparation at your school differ from others?

— We are not chasing a quick result. It is based on the quality of training, individual approach and gradual development. We pay a lot of attention to technique, decision-making, and understanding the game. Our child is not "lost" in the group — we know everyone and work with their strengths and weaknesses.

— What principles do you put at the forefront of teaching children?

— Respect, discipline, diligence and responsibility. We teach children to be team players, to be able to listen to the coach and partners, not to be afraid of mistakes and to work on themselves. Football is a character education tool for us.

— What changes do you notice in children during training?

— Children become more confident, disciplined, learn to work in a team. The attitude to training, to responsibility, to oneself is changing. Parents often note that this is reflected not only on the field, but also in school and everyday life.

— Are there any success stories among the students already?

— Yes, we have guys who have grown noticeably in a short time — both in terms of games and psychologically. Some are already arousing interest outside of our school. For us, success is not only the transition to the Academy, but also the fact that the child continues to believe in himself and football.

One of the illustrative examples of the school's work is the story of our pupil, who managed to pass the selection and get into the academy of a professional club in Kazakhstan. He has withstood serious competition and multi-stage screenings in Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, relying solely on his level of training, game thinking and discipline.

For the school, this story was a confirmation that a systematic approach to learning and attention to detail allow talented children from the region to reach the international level.

— What are the school's goals for the coming years?

— Our goal is to build a sustainable training system, expand cooperation with professional clubs and give talented children real chances for development. We want our school to become a growth point for children's football in the region.

— Do you see a social mission in the project? What is it?

— Absolutely. We see our mission in giving children a direction, an alternative to the street and inaction. Football helps to form a healthy generation, teaches values and unites families. For us, this is not just a sport — it is a contribution to the future.